ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 90, 18 April 1911, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. Judging by the large attendances at both the opening performances of "The Bad Girl of the Family," as presented by the George Marlow Company at the Opera House, it is evident that the piece finds much favour in Wellington. The performance has plenty of comedy and plenty of tragedy. The principal •character is interpreted by Miss Ada Guildford, who plays consistently throughout. The role of "hero," Lieutenant Marsh, ie filled by Mr. Herbert Bentley, who is a favourite with Wellington playgoers. The "Bad Girl" will reappear this evening. THEATRE ROYAL. j The programme of vaudeville presented by Messrs. Fuller at the Theatre i Royal last evening was of such variety and attractiveness that the most exacting could not reasonably complain, and indeed the audience that filled every part of the theatre demonstrated its complete satisfaction by repeated and continuous outbursts of applause. Easily the best item on the programme was the "turn" of Harris and Vernon, American dancers. Their act, which comprises solos, clever and refreshingly new patter, and wonderful combined dancing, is one of the best presented in Wellington for a long time. Unlike most American doubles, both artists are equally clever, and their season promises to be a record ] one. The dance with which Mr. Harris concludes his stuttering song is remarkably good. Further success was achieved by the Rhodesburys, two comedians who harmonise really well, and new business was introduced by the I Racoons. These last mentioned artists are acrobats of very high class, the tumbling work being especially good. A distinct success was scored by Miss Mabel Lynne, with a song about "aeroplanes," and the Gibson Girls, a dainty duo, were rewarded with warm applause. J Other members of the company to please j were Geo. Jones, Tim Howard, the Seyfer Twins and Dickson Knox. The I programme will run until Saturday. Miss Ettie Williams will reappear this evenTHE NEW THEATRE. I The "continuous" biograph show has arrived, last night seeing the opening of The New Theatre, in Manners-street, the enterprise of Messrs. MacMahon and Donnelly. This place of entertainment is to mark a new era in moving picture exhibitions 1 as far as New Zealand is concerned, for it is the proprietors' intention to give continuous displays for twelve hours daily, commencing from this morning. Last night The New Theatre was opened, and long before 8 o'clock every seat was occupied, and hundreds of people had to be refused admission. The theatre is not the largest in Wellington, but) for general comfort it will be hard to beat. Every patron has an uninterrupted view of the screen, which, by the way, is set in a handsome gold framing. The hall is furnished throughout with tip-up seats, the aisles carpeted, and the decorative work pleaiing to the eye. The New Theatre should become a very popular resort. The Wellington public has been well catered; for in the matter of moving pictures, j and it has become quite critical of the fare offered it, but last night it could have nothing to cavil at in the opening programme submitted by the new proprietary. The pictures were all new, j well selected, excellently shown, and the exhibition altogether was faultless. There were some fine dramatic stories, notably "Redwing," full of thrilling situations, "Days of the Early West," a tale of the pioneers in American backblocks, "His Confession," and "The Little Basket Maker," the latter a pathetic but pretty story of a. child's good nature. but rather marred by an anti-climax. There were other good dramatic stories, and some well-chosen comics, including "The Joke They Played on Bumptious," "A Tangled -Masquerade," and "Love Drops." Appropriate music was played by an orchestra led by Mr. E. J. King. Before the pictures were screened, Mr. R. Fletcher (chairman of the Welling- [ ton Harbour Board), in a short speech, declared The New Theatre opened. Pictures, Mr. Fletcher said, were a bright form of entertainment, fascinating, instructive, and educative, and it was the aim of the proprietors to provide it at a minimum cost. He hoped the success of the venture would exce&d the most sanguine expectations. Mr. J. MacMahon thanked Mr. Fletcher, and also the public for its generous patTonage on the opening night. The management would endeavour to give the best pictures procurable in the world. The New Theatre will now be mm from 11 a.m. to 11.15 p.m. each day. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. His Majesty's Theatre was filled to overflowing last evening, many people being unable to obtain admission. The new programme afforded further proof of the apparently inexhaustible resource of the kinematographer^ and was an excellent one in every respect. Some remarkably fine views of Scotland, including the beautiful Isle of lona and Rothesay Bay, were shown, and "A Trip through Picturesque Japan," besides being a very fine scenic film, conveyed a very fair idea of the dress and customs of the Japanese. The scenes included the shooting of the Osaka Rapids, and a long funeral procession, accompanied by all the quaint ceremonial of the East. Of considerable educational value was a film entitled "Making of Casks," when' all the various* processes were shown in detail. The dramatic section, was particularly well represented. An exciting Indian drama, brimful of thrilling incidents, "Love of an Indian Mother," was a popular one with the spectators. An Indian woman, in return for a kindness, was enabled, at the cost of her own life, to save the lives of her whits friends. The race for life by the ranchmen through the forest was particularly good, as was also the siege of the backwoods cottage by the Indians. The mounting of the piece was most" effective. A story of an unusual and interesting type was "His Trust Fulfilled," a tale of the American vVar of Independence. "The Colour-Sergeant's Horse" was another good series. There were several laughable comic sketches, one of the best of which was "Tweedledum a Bit Shy," and an amusing comedy drama "He Who Laughs Last." There were many other excellent pictures, including "Scientific Billiards" and "Our Pets." STAR PICTURES. At a-quarter to 7 last evening the j ingress of picture-lovers to St. Thomas's Hall began, and an hour later there was not a vacant seat in the building. A special holiday programme had been arranged — a programme that/ was well worthy of the very evident appreciation of those present. The scenic items were ■a specially fine selection, and included scenes from among the passes of Bombay and the rivers and valleys of Norway. A stirring dramatic film was that depicting the attack en Fort Ridgeway, while, in point of merit, the other two dramas, " The Message of an Arrow" and "Tho Sunday Edition" did not tome far behind". Several comics with euch promising titles as "Daddy's Double" and "Tweedledum Paye His Bill" earned their meed of applause, and were keenly appreciated by the more youthful of the onlcokers. The programme will be repeated until further notice.

KING'S THEATRE. Long before the time for beginning the entertainment last night, the King's Theatre was packed, and hundreds had been turned away. The programme was first class, one of the -most attractive items being that showing some of the beautiful scenery on the West Coast of the South Island. That film alone is well worth a visit. Another excellent item, chiefly on account of its novelty, is one depicting scenes on the Congo. "The Scorpion," is interesting and educational, and "The Siamese Twins" is one of the cleverest pictures of the comic variety that has been shown here for a long time past. The Pathe Gazette gives brief but welcome glimpses of various interesting happenings, besides showing the "very latest" styles in Parisian hair-dressing — very pretty they are, too. Another attractive film was one showing Pelorus Jack playing round the bows of one of the Nelson steamers. The programme, which also contains some powerful dramatic studies, will be repeated to-night. "THE WANDERERS." "The Wanderers," Mr. George Stephenson's company, appeared again before a packed audience in the- concert chamber of the Town Hall last evening. In the main the programme was the same as that submitted on Saturday j night, and taking the entertainment as a whole it can fairly be said that it met and merited the generous approval i of the audience. Miss Hopwood Foldi's representation of tho aggravating duties of a thoughtless lady travelling in a London tram car, with the inevitable small boy, was the most notable success j of the leading artist of the company. Miss Foldi has undoubted talent, and earned the hearty, plaudits of tho audience. Mr. Leslie Holmes, tho comedian of the company, whose control of his features is in inverse ratio te that of his audience, contributed some items, which provoked the heartiest laughter and warmest appreciation. Miss Madeline Feme, Miss JKiveril Heggie, Miss Ruby Guest, Messrs. Harvey, Keenan, and Winstanley, as on the opening night all assisted towards the success of a thoroughly enjoyable entertainment. The company will appear again this evening. THE KING'S FESTIVAL. A large holiday crowd thronged the Town Hall last evening when the King's Festival and Fancy Bazaar, in 'aid of the- St. Vincent de Paul School Chapel, was open for tho second time. Business in and about the various stalls was brisk enough, and the different side-shows were all well patronised. Mr. H. P. Clarke's orchestra played some charming selections, and during the evening Signor Borzoni's adept pupils went through dancing movements in excellent manner. Other attractions were hornpipes, marches, and tableaux by these children, who performed the various movements with verve. Of the two tugs-of-war set down for decision last evening, only one eventuated — the Tramway men beating the Builders' Workmen representatives. To-morrow evening there will be further sporting events. These will include a ten-mile Marathon Race, which seems certain to bo popular, cycle races, and high jumps. " Smiler Jacky Tar" will reappear as uaual. FULLER'S SKATING RINK. The weather last evening was perfect for skating, and a large crowd of people assembled at the Skating Rink in Vivian-street. Beginners: are notified that a special session is held from 6 to 7 o'clock each evening, when a staff of instructors is present. An enjoyable social evening waa 6pent in the new church hall, Maranui, last evening, the object being to raise funds on behalf of the school. Musical items were contributed by Mr. and Mrs. Rayner, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Ward', and Mr. Mioraai (recitation). A , good number were present. Mrs. Nickerson presided at the piano and Mr. Carman acted as M.C.